The sectors attracted US$1.317 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by the expansion of the electricity system, renewable energies and the growth of mining activity, according to preliminary data from the Central Bank
SANTO DOMINGO– As the country's electricity demand breaks historical consumption records and new generation projects come online, foreign investment appears to be following the same trend. During the first half of 2026, the energy and mining sectors attracted 40.2% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) received by the Dominican Republic, solidifying their position as the primary destinations for international capital.
The information was released yesterday, Wednesday, by the Ministry of Energy and Mines, based on preliminary figures from the Central Bank, which place foreign direct investment at US$3,276.7 million between January and June, equivalent to a year-on-year growth of 7.7% compared to the same period in 2025.
Of that total, US$910.87 million was directed to the energy sector, while US$406.29 million was concentrated in mining, for a joint investment of US$1,317 million, reflecting the growing interest of investors in two activities considered strategic for national economic development.
Energy attracts the largest flow of capital
The energy sector once again ranked first among all economic activities receiving foreign investment, representing 27.8% of the national total.
According to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, these results reflect the transformation that the Dominican electrical system has undergone in recent years, marked by the incorporation of new generation capacity and the strengthening of renewable energies.
He explained that the installed capacity of the system increased from 4,921 megawatts in 2020 to 7,120 megawatts in 2025, while the share of renewable sources increased from 11% to 29% of the national electricity mix.
In 2025 alone an additional 1,138 megawatts, of which 697 MW correspond to solar and wind projects.
"This performance reaffirms investor confidence in the country's stability, its regulatory framework, and the energy transition vision promoted by the Dominican government," Santos stated.
Mining maintains its momentum
The mining sector continues to strengthen its importance within the Dominican economy.
In addition to attracting US$406.29 million in foreign investment, equivalent to 12.4% of the national total, the sector registered a year-on-year growth of 18.1% in June and an accumulated expansion of 11.3% during the first half of the year, according to data cited by the Ministry.
The institution highlighted that mining continues to be one of the country's main generators of foreign exchange and one of the activities with the greatest fiscal contribution, especially due to gold production.
Meanwhile, the production of larimar, the national stone of the Dominican Republic, reached 188,696 pounds between January and June of this year, as a result of initiatives aimed at strengthening the extraction, marketing and value addition of the mineral.
Investment that accompanies growth
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the behavior of foreign investment reflects the confidence of international markets in macroeconomic stability, legal security, and the public policies implemented to strengthen the country's energy and productive infrastructure.
This performance also coincides with a period of high electricity demand. During July, the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI) set several consecutive record highs in consumption, recently exceeding 4,277 megawatts of power supplied.
This scenario, coupled with the growth of economic activity and the expansion of mining generation and exploitation projects, keeps both sectors as two of the main drivers of foreign capital attraction in the Dominican economy.
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